Czechia vs Turkey Preview & Prediction | UEFA EURO 2024 | Group Stage

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A classic of the UEFA European Championship genre pits Czechia against Turkey in what is a crucial game for both sides as they seek Round of 16 qualification. Group F has its winner in Portugal but second and third remains yet to be determined.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 24^th June, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – ITV / US – FOX

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – ITVX / US – VIX

CZECHIA PREVIEW: CZECHIA, MATE

It was a really underwhelming qualifying campaign for Czechia. So much so, their manager, Jaroslav Silhavy, was eventually sacked by the Central Europeans and replaced by Czechoslovakia’s 1990 FIFA World Cup captain, Ivan Hasek. Hasek improved performances in the March international break and that has continued into this tournament.

They were very defensive against one of the pre-tournament favourites Portugal but eventually took a surprise lead before losing in second-half stoppage-time. They backed that up, though, by a much more proactive performance against Georgia in which they will feel aggrieved at their wastefulness to have drawn the game 1-1.

TURKEY PREVIEW: TURKS LOOKING TO TWEAK

Under the management of former Italy international striker Vincenzo Montella, Turkey started the tournament with one of the most entertaining games so far. They defeated Georgia by three goals to one to win their first ever opening game at a UEFA European Championships at the fifth time of trying.

However, with Montella making some unusual alterations to his side for the second group stage game, Turkey found themselves completely outplayed by the Portuguese and eventually succumbing to a 3-0 loss that leaves their participation in the knockout stages of UEFA EURO 2024 in a little bit of doubt.

CZECHIA TEAM NEWS: CZECHS TO REMAIN ON THE FRONT FOOT

Czechia played a flat 3-5-2 against the Portuguese to frustrate them before a more attacking and front foot 3-4-3 with Adam Hlozek and Vaclav Cerny flanking Patrik Schick. They generally performed well and need a win so are expected to be unchanged.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Doudera; Hlozek, Schick, Cerny

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

TURKEY TEAM NEWS: BARDAKCI TO BE SUSPENDED

The decision to drop both Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz was an odd one from Vincenzo Montella and both are expected to return with Altay Bayindir also expected to stay in place of Mert Gunok, who is a doubt. Centre-back Abdulkerim Bardakci is missing through suspension.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Bayindir; Celik, Demiral, Akaydin, Kadioglu; Ayhan, Calhanoglu; Guler, Kokcu, Yildiz; Yilmaz

UNAVAILABLE: Bardakci (Suspended)

QUESTIONABLE: Gunok (Injured), Guler (Injured)

KEY STATS

• Türkiye have won each of the last three meetings between these two teams. They have also won both previous EURO final tournament encounters (3-2 EURO 2008 and 2-0 EURO 2016, both in the group stage on Matchday 3).
• Czechia have reached the knockout rounds four times in the last seven EURO final tournaments, most recently at EURO 2020.
• Czechia have won only three of their last 13 EURO group stage matches (D3 L7).
• Czechia have lost only two of their last 16 international matches (W9 D5).
• None of Czechia’s last 26 EURO matches have finished without a goal being scored. The last time they were involved in a 0-0 draw was in the 1996 semi-finals against France (W on pens).
• Czechia have only failed to score in one of their last 14 international matches.
• Czechia have scored 50 goals and conceded 50 goals in EURO final tournament matches (including Czechoslovakia).
• Czechia have failed to complete a EURO group stage without a win on only one previous occasion. That was at EURO 2016 when they exited after a draw and two defeats.
• Against Georgia, Patrik Schick scored his sixth goal in just seven EURO appearances. He is the outright all-time top EURO goalscorer for Czechia having moved one clear of Milan Baroš.
• Türkiye have won only two of their last ten EURO matches (D1 L7).
• Türkiye have kept only one clean sheet in their last 14 EURO matches. That was in the 2-0 victory against Czechia at EURO 2016.
• Two of Türkiye’s last three wins in EURO matches have been against Czechia (3-2 EURO 2008 and 2-0 EURO 2016, both in the group stage on Matchday 3).
• Only two of Türkiye’s 20 EURO matches have finished level.
• Türkiye have been winning at half-time in only two of their previous 20 EURO matches.
• Only one of Türkiye’s previous 20 EURO matches has finished goalless. That was a 0-0 draw against Sweden in the group stage at EURO 2000
• Türkiye are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since they were semi-finalists at EURO 2008. Their only other previous qualification from the group stage was at EURO 2000.
• Hakan Çalhanoğlu is set to make his eighth EURO appearance, bringing him level with Hakan Balta and only one behind Türkiye’s record holder Rüştü Reçber who made nine EURO appearances.

CZECHIA VS TURKEY PREDICTION

These two would appear generally evenly matched but in terms of the actual personnel, Turkey certainly have an edge. That said, Turkey have massively fluctuated in their performance levels, whilst Czechia have remained steady and steady and consistent may well be enough to handle the mercurial attacking talents of the Turks with Schick, Hlozek and Cerny all a genuine threat on the break. A double chance bet in favour of the Czechs may well be a good bet for this one.

CZECHIA VS TURKEY TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – CZECHIA TO WIN OR DRAW